Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides Service) - On May 17, John Bolton, US under-secretary of State for control of arms and international security, gave a press conference to US and Italian journalists at the American Embassy in Rome. Fides was also there. Mr Bolton was pressed by many US mediamen about violence against Iraqi citizens committed by American troops. Mr Bolton distinguished the personal responsibility of American individuals from the policy of the American government affirming that the US has a system which is capable of denouncing crimes committed by its representatives.
The quality of the questions posed by the American colleagues highlighted the role which the press should have and does have in a great democracy such as America. And this is the fundamental difference between democracy and dictatorship. Democratic America is examining itself and its moral values after the crimes committed by members of the US armed forces in Iraq. A demonstration of the painful debate in the United States today.
In this regard we cannot fail to underline that torture denies the humanity not only of the tortured but also of the torturer. Anyone who destroys the dignity of a person destroys his own dignity. It is to be hoped that these recent shameful episodes of torture and abuse will convince the whole world once and for all to ban torture of any kind even in countries where it is used as a means of investigation. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 22/5/2004, righe 23, parole 257)
